To Charge or Not to Charge

International Experts Speak Out

‘To Charge or Not to Charge: A Framework for Proper Funding,' was the title of a challenging article written by P.A.J. van Oort and A.K. Bregt of Wageningen University, Netherlands, and published in GIM International in August 2010. Based on an extensive review of the literature, and acknowledging that there is no one-size-fits-all solution, the authors developed a framework for selecting proper funding models. Free access is identified as the predominant model, but in some cases charging is seen as both viable and justifiable. The question of whether users should pay for geo-data produced by government and institutions has already... (read more)

2010-11-04 03:21:31

Bridging the Gap between Geospatial and Construction

There is certainly a gap in information exchange between the geospatial and construction domains. This is a serious issue, mainly because geospatial systems and engineering surveys are not yet aligned and integrated with building information modelling (BIM). The BIM method is expected to move construction activities from plan-based individual work to model-based collaboration. Such a paradigm shift will bring huge opportunities regarding planning, building and management of the built environment in a more productive, open and sustainable way. Although it is still difficult to entirely close the gap between these two fields, this article shows how that gap can at... (read more)

2020-02-14 09:44:12

State of the Art in 3D City Modelling

Six Challenges Facing 3D Data as a Platform

Semantically enriched 3D city models have the potential to be powerful hubs of integrated information for computer-based urban spatial analysis. This article presents the state of the art in 3D city modelling in the context of broader developments such as smart cities and digital twins, and outlines six challenges that must be overcome before 3D data as a platform becomes a reality. (This article is a co-production of seven authors, all of whom are mentioned at the end of the text.) 3D city models, as digital representations of urban areas, can be used to facilitate many applications, such as urban... (read more)

2020-04-09 10:46:22

Let’s Embrace It… INSPIRE is Here to Stay

Big Challenges to Overcome towards a Common Framework for all European Environmental Reference Data

The idea behind INSPIRE is quite simple: a common framework for all European environmental reference data. The implementation of such a system, however, is less simple. Technology is one thing – but when 38 European countries have to deliver their data, preferably in such a way that they are interoperable, anyone can see that there are big challenges to overcome. Stefan Jensen is head of data governance at the European Environmental Agency (EEA), one of the European institutions that would profit from a harmonised environmental data system and fulfils a coordinating role in the implementation. With the next INSPIRE conference... (read more)

2018-08-08 01:39:23

The Power of Geography

At the end of the tumultuous eighteenth century the British government ordered its Board of Ordnance, the defence ministry of its day, to survey the country’s south coast. Today Ordnance Survey (OS) is a self-financing £100-million-a-year civilian organisation, still part of UK government but since 1999 having ‘Trading Fund’ status. Its workforce of around 1,500 people includes three hundred surveyors. How is OS coping with today’s technological challenges and social needs? What are the product trends, and what opportunities are offered by INSPIRE? Vanessa Lawrence, at the OS helm since September 2000, kindly answered these and other questions.<P> What are... (read more)

2008-06-05 12:00:00

Good Governance, Good Geo-info

Essential Role for GI at all Levels

Where just two decades ago spatial data was mainly carried on paper maps, map and three-dimensional topographic data is now accessible via Google Earth. Where accurate positioning was once the professional pride of highly trained geodesists, we now see such services provided by GPS-based consumer products. This revolution in technological developments and demand for information implies the need for continuous upgrading of professionals: ‘lifelong learning’. Lifelong learning is relevant not only for the professionals concerned but also for their organisations. These are in a permanent state of flux in order to adjust to their continually changing envir-onment. This may flow... (read more)

2006-09-21 12:00:00

High-level Political Support Needed

GSDI and Land Administration within Europe

Administrative reform within Europe has had a tremendous impact on land administration all over the continent. Geo-Spatial Data Infrastructures (GSDI) may bring further improvements. The authors review land policy, land administration and the role of land information within society, and call for high-level political moves towards information sharing. Examples of administrative reforms within Europe are restoration of the primacy of politics, reduction in ministerial tasking to core business, and improving the output of public institutions by distance steering, decentralisation and de-concentration of institutions. Other methods of improving output include quality assurance programmes, special service projects, restoring democracy and reestablishment of... (read more)

2005-07-14 12:00:00

Sentinel-2A in Orbit: An Overview of the Features of the European Sentinel Family

The launch of Sentinel-2A in June 2015 signalled the start of the era of the Sentinel-2 twin constellation. The satellite has been constructed by Airbus Defence and Space for the European Space Agency (ESA). The Sentinels are a new family of missions in progress and a major asset within the European Copernicus programme, which is dedicated to providing a comprehensive picture of the ‘health’ of the Earth. To mark the occasion of the launch, the author provides an overview of the mission, the features of the sensors on board and applications of the images. Although rarely used in common speech,... (read more)

2016-05-02 09:36:51

Land Administration Domain Model

Impact on Implementation of International Policies

An international group of land administration professionals initiated the development of a data model that facilitates the quick and efficient set-up of land registrations. Just as social issues benefit from proper land administration, land administration systems themselves benefit from proper data standards. The Land Administration (LA) standard has been available since 1 December 2012 as a formal International Standard, published as ISO 19152. This standard is expected to have an impact on the development of Land Administration Systems. The International Standard for the Land Administration Domain serves the following goals: Establishment of a shared ontology implied by the model: The... (read more)

2013-05-27 12:02:07

Geomares: Quality is Our Motto

GIM International Interviews Durk Haarsma

Geomares Publishing is the new media company behind GIM International, having in October taken over ownership from previous GIM publisher of almost ten years Reed Business-Geo. Geomares publishing director Durk Haarsma has in house strong brands, dynamic publishing concepts for the future and a dedicated team that will keep working to deliver quality in every possible way. Could you outline your reasons for buying GIM International and establishing Geomares Publishing? I have been in post as publisher of GIM International now for five years and have a strong belief in GIM International as flagship brand. Together with our other publication,... (read more)

2009-12-29 11:32:43